A Conference in Boston with the Elders of New England, Part
The Reaſons are theſe.
Firſt, If Jeſus the Chriſt bee not our Prophet to teach us, hee will not be our King to protect us: Math. 28. 10. Teach them, ſaith Chriſt, to obſerve, all things that I command you: And loe, I am alwaies with you to the end of the world.
Secondly, If Chriſt be no Prophet to teach us his heavenly Fathers revealed will, he wil be no Prieſt to intercede for us, Ioh. 17. 20. I pray not for theſe alone, but for all them that ſhall beleeve in me through their word. Now it is not their word that they ſpeake, but what they have received fromChriſt to ſpeake. Seeing it is written2 Iohn 9. Whoſoever tranſgreſſeth and abideth not in the doctrine of Chriſt, hath not God: but he that abideth in the doctrine of Chriſt, hath both the Father and the Sonne. Verſe 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrin, receive him not to houſe, neither bid him God ſpeed. Verſe 11. For hee that biddeth him God ſpeed is partaker of his evill deeds.
Thirdly, If Chriſt bee no Prophet to teach us: Hee will bee no Judge to acquit us. Iohn 12. 48. Hee which rejecteth mee, and rece iveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the words that I have ſpoken, the ſame ſhall judge us in the laſt day. And then like the wiſe Merchant, let us caſt up our accouut, what it will profit us? If by denying to heare the voice of our Prophet Jeſus, we gaine the world, and in the meane ſeaſon looſe our precious ſoules. Knowing the Sonne of man ſhortly will come to judge the world: And then they which be aſhamed of him, and his words, in this ſinnefull and adulterous generation, of them will the Sonne of man be aſhamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father▪ with all his holy Angels, Marke 8. 38.
Fourthly, If we joyne with them that deny Jeſus the Chriſt, I Iohn 2. 22. and will be partakers of their ſinnes, wee ſhall bee partakers of their plagues, Revel. 18. 4. And for our unbeliefe, in perſiſting to perſecute them, that contend for the faith of Jeſus the Chriſt, Math. 16▪ 16, 17, 18. The wrath of God abideth on them, 1 Theſſ. 2. 14, 15, 16.
Fiftly, There is no promiſe to any people, that deny the Faith and Baptiſme of Jeſus the Chriſt, that they waiting ſhall receive the gifts of the Spirit. But rather that they ſhall be given up of God to ſtrong deluſions, to beleeve a lye, 2 Theſſ. 2. 10. Becauſe they received not the love of the truth, that they might bee ſaved.Verſe 11. For this cauſe, God ſhall give them up to ſtrong deluſions to beleeve a lye. Verſe 12. That all might bee damned that beleeve not the truth, but have pleaſure to continue in unrighteous practiſes. 2 Theſſ. 2 10, 11, 12.
Object.But there is a promiſe to all poore enquiring ſoules, that in the time of their ignorance and unbeliefe, have denyed Jeſus the Chriſt, their eternall King and Prophet, aſwell as Prieſt, and now by the Spirit of God being convicted, that they are lyars and Antichriſtian, that deny the Father and the Son, 1 Iohn 2. 22. And being pricked at the heart, now trembling, cry out, Men and brethren what ſhall we doe?
Anſw.The Spirit of Chriſt in the inſpired Scripture, ſaith: Repent, and be baptized▪ every one of you in the name of Ieſus for the remiſsion of ſins, and yee ſhall receive the gifts of the holy Spirit, Acts 2. 38.
We have an inſtance of twelve Diſciples found at Epheſus, baptized in the name of the Lord Jeſus, and and Paul laid his hands on them, and they ſpake with new tongues, and Propheſied, as Ioel the Prophet foretold, Ioel 2. 28. I will powre out of my Spirit upon all fleſh, &c.
Object.But were thoſe Diſciples Paul found at Epheſus (that had beene baptized by Iohn the Paptiſt) rebaptized by Paul?
Anſw.In anſwering this objection, I conceive: Firſt, there was a vaſt difference betweene Faith and Baptiſme; Iohn preached before the ſuffering, death, and reſurrection of Chriſt: And the Faith and Baptiſine Chriſt commanded his Diſciples to preach after his Reſurrection, Luke 24. 46, 47.
Secondly, Iohn the Baptiſt preached the Baptiſme of repentance▪ ſaying, that they ſhould beleeve on him that was to come after him, Acts 19. 3, 4. Whom Chriſt himſelfe declareth to his Apoſtles, being come in the fleſh that he muſt goe up to Ieruſalem, fall into the hands of ſinners, bee killed, and the third day riſe againe, but th… Diſciples underſtood it not, though it were declared to them, and they were afraid to aske him, Mark. 9. 31, 32. Much more John underſtood not, that Chriſt ſhould dye, and riſe againe from the dead.
Firſt, becauſe it was not revealed to him, though John ſent two of his Diſciples to demand of him,Whether it were he that ſhould come, or ſhall we looke for another? Chriſt anſwereth, Goe tell John, the blind ſee he deafe heare, the dead are raiſed, and the poore the Goſpell is preached, and leſſed is he that is not offended in me,Math. 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Secondly, Chriſt ſaith of John: This was that Elias that was to come, …hat ſhould prepare the way before him,Mal. 3. 1.
Thirdly, Hee was the greateſt Prophet borne amongſt women:for he ſaw him come in the fleſh, and ſaid to two Diſciples, Behold that Lamb …f God which taketh away the ſinnes of he world, John 1. 29. Yet hee that is he leaſt member in the kingdom of heaven is greater then John: becauſe after the death and reſurrection of Chriſt, they could preach and declarethat great myſt…ry of godtineſſe, 1 Tim. 3. 16. that Iohn the Baptiſtnever knew.
But the Apoſtles after the reſurrection of Chriſt, he having opened their underſtanding, that they might underſtand the Scriptures, ſaid unto them, That it behoveth, Chriſt to ſuffer, and riſe againe the third day, that repentance and remiſsion of ſinnes ſhould bee preached in his name, amongſt all Nations, beginning at Ieruſalem: and yee are witneſſes of theſe things, Luke 24. 46, 47, 48.
Again, Iohn the Baptiſts baptiſme, was the Baptiſme of water onelyonly but had no promiſe of the holy Spirit annexed, as himſelfe confeſſeth,Math. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: But he that commeth after mee is mightier then I▪ he ſhall Baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire.
Secondly, The holy Spirit wa… not to bee given in his full meaſure untill Chriſt was glorified. Iohn 7. 39 compared with Acts 2. 33.
But to the Faith and Baptiſme the Apoſtles preached after the death, and reſurrection, and aſcention of Chriſt into glory, there was a promiſe of giving the gifts of the holy Spirit, Acts 2. 38. Repent, and b… Baptized, every one of you in the nam… of Ieſus for the remiſsion of ſinnes: and yee ſhall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: as the Prophet Ioel foretold, Ioel 2. 28. and the twelve at Epheſus received, Acts 19. 6.
Anſw. 2.I affirme, that the twelve at E…heſus, that had beene Baptized by Iohn, or his Diſciples Miniſtry, were re-baptized by Paul, or them that were with him in the time of his Miniſtery; for theſe enſuing Reaſons.
Reaſ. 1.Firſt, In reſpect of the different diſpenſations. The Faith and Baptiſme that theſe twelve had received from Iohn, or his Diſciples Miniſterie, though it was a ſaving Faith all the dayes of Iohn and his Diſciples Miniſtry, yet it was not a ſaving Faith after the death, and reſurrection, and aſcention of Chriſt into glory, in the time of Pauls Miniſtery: For Iohn and his Diſciples preached the Baptiſme of Repentance; ſaying, that they ſhould beleeve on him that was to come after him▪ that was in Jeſus Chriſt, that was to bee crucified. But Paul and Timetheus preached, that Jeſus indeed is come, and crucified, dead, and riſen, through whom all that beleeve ſhall have remiſſion of ſinnes, Acts 13. 38, 39. 1 Cor. 15. 3, 4.
Reaſ. 2.Secondly, Becauſe this Faith that they had received from Iohn, or his Diſciples, in the time of Pauls Miniſtery would not ſave them: Becauſe they denyed the Reſurrection of Chriſt from the dead: Looking onelyonly for him to come, and to be crucified; and were ignorant that he was crucified, dead, and riſen: And then according to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of Paul, 1 Cor. 15. 14. If Chriſt be not riſen, our Faith is vaine, and our Preaching is vaine.
Reaſ. 3.Thirdly, If the Faith and Bap…iſme of Iohn, that declared that there was a Jeſus to come to bee Crucified; and the Faith and Baptimſe of Paul that declareth that Chriſt dyed for our ſins, according to the Scriptures, and roſe againe the third day according to the Scripture, 1 Cor. 15. 3, 4. Be all one for ſubſtance (as ſome of the Learned amongſt us affirme) then are wee found falſe witneſſes of God, becauſe wee have teſtified of God; that he hath raiſed up his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt, whom he …aiſed not up if the Faith and Bap…iſme of Iohn be in force at his day, … Cor. 15. 15.
Reaſ. 4,Fourthly, If the Faith and Bap…iſme of Iohn be in force under the time of Pauls Miniſtery, Acts 9. 3, …. Then was the preaching of Paul vaine, and the faith of all that received his Goſpell, (to wit, That Chriſt dyed for our ſinnes, according to the Scriptures, and roſe againe the third day, 1 Cor. 15. 3, 4.) vaine, and …hat they were yet in their ſinnes, 1 Cor. 15. 16. 17. Neither were the gifts o… the Spirit then given: For they wer… not to be ſhed forth until Chriſt wa… riſen and aſcended up into glor… Acts 2. 33. which is blaſpemous to imagine, or to divulge and declare abroad.
For theſe Reaſons, I conceiv… there was a nullity of the Faith an… Baptiſme of John, which was to continue but till the death and reſur rection of Chriſt: And the twelve in Aſia were re-baptized into th… Faith of a crucified, dead, and riſen Jeſus, whom God exalted to b… the Chriſt. And Paul layd his hand on them, and they received the hol… Spirit, Acts 19. 5. 6.
…May it not rather bee, that with Apollos, they were more fully inſtructed what it was to bee Baptized into the name of the Lord Jeſus.
…Nay; Becauſe there was as vaſt a difference, according to the diſtin…ion I formerly layd downe, be…weene the Faith and Baptiſme of …ohn and his Diſciples before the eath of Chriſt, and the Faith and …aptiſme of Paul; and …he reſidue of the Apoſtles after the death and reſurrection of Chriſt: As now is …etwixt the Jewes at this day: and …s that truely beleeve in Jeſus the Chriſt, 1 Joh. 5. 1. Whoſoever beleeveth that Jeſus is the Chriſt is born of God. For the Jewes at this day be…eeve (as John and his Diſciples then taught, That they ſhould beleeve on him that ſhould come, Acts 19. 4.) even in that Meſſiiah whom they wait …or. And we beleeve (as Peter and Paul then taught) That Chriſt indeed is come, and crucified, dead, and riſen, and exalted to bee the Chriſt, Acts 2. 36 Epheſ. 1. 20, 21, 22, 23.
So that, if the Jewiſh Faith be not a ſaving Faith at this day; Seeing they looke for a Meſſiah to come: when indeed hee is already come, and crucified, dead, riſen and aſcended to glory; So that we wait now for a Saviour from heaven, Jeſus that ſhall deliver us from the wrath t… come, 1 Theſſ. 1. 10. Neither coul… the Faith of thoſe twelve Diſciples Paul found at Epheſus bee a ſaving Faith in the time of his Miniſtery becauſe Chriſt was come (though they were ignorant of it, being a that time in Aſia) and had finiſhed all thoſe things that were written of him in the Law of Moſes, the Prophets, and the Pſalmes, Luke 24. 44. But as neither the twelve Diſciples of Chriſt could not underſtand that all things were fulfilled of him: untill hee had opened their underſtandings, that they might underſtand the Scriptures: And then they rightly underſtood the end of his ſuffering, death, and reſurrection: namely, That repentance, and remiſsion of ſinnes, ſhould bee preached in his name among all Nations, beginning at Ieruſalem, Luke 24. 45, 46, 47, &c. So neither could theſe twelve Paul found at Epheſus know it; becauſe, they had not heard, whether there were any holy Spirit, yea, or nay; and ſo were ignorant of the death, and reſurrection of Chriſt, untill the Lord was pleaſed by his good Spirit to open their underſtanding, by the miniſtery of Paul; therefore it is written, When they heard it, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jeſus, Act. 19. 5.
Object. 2.Was there any neceſſity that they ſhould be Re-baptized; would not a more perfect inſtruction have ſerved?
Anſw.Nay: Becauſe thoſe twelve were departed into Aſia, after they had received the Faith and Baptiſme of John, and were ignorant whether there were any holy Spirit yea or nay, Acts 19. 2. Becauſe Johns Faith and Baptiſme (as I have formerly ſhewed) had no promiſe of giving the gifts of the holy Spirit, Mat. 3. 11. If they therefore ſhould continue in the Faith and Baptiſme they had received from John, they had no promiſe that waiting they ſhould receive the gift of the holy Spirit. But to the Faith and Baptiſme that Peter and the reſidue of the Apoſtles preached, there was a promiſe of giving the gifts of the holy Spirit, Acts 2. 38. And when theſe twelve which had been baptized by John, or his Diſciples, heard it, they ſubmitted them ſelves, and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jeſus; (viz. into that profeſſion of Faith Paul preached, 1 Cor. 15. 3, 4.) And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them, and they ſpake with new tongues, and propheſied; and the men were about twelve, Acts 19. 5, 6. Such an inſtance likewiſe wee have in Samaria; Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdome of God, and the name of Jeſus Chriſt, and they were baptized both men and women, Act. 8. 12. When the Apoſtles which were at Hieruſalem heard it, they ſent Peter and John unto them: And when they were come down, they prayed, that they might receive the holy Spirit: (For as yet hee was fallen upon none of them, onelyonly they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jeſus) Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the holy Spirit, Acts 8. 14, 15, 16, 17. So that by the examination of theſe texts of holy Scripture, it appeareth to me, that theſe twelve that were formerly baptized by Iohn, and then afterwards by Paul were baptized in the name of the Lord Jeſus; and then the Lord according to his owne free promiſe, Acts 2. 38. gave them the gifts of his holy Spirit, by his ordinance of Impoſition of hands; that the earth might bee filled with his glory, and his Church repleniſhed with gifts meet for the miniſtery, Epheſ. 4. 11, 12.
Object. 3.But was Andrew and the other Diſciple Iohn baptized, Re-baptized by the Diſciples of Jeſus the Chriſt?
Anſw.Nay: Becauſe that Faith which Iohn preached and baptized into, and the Faith and Baptiſme that Jeſus and his Diſciples preached before his ſufferings, death and reſurrection, was all one in ſubſtance, and to one peculiar people, the Jewiſh Nation. Mat. 3. 2. Iohn preached, Repent, for the kingdome of heaven is at hand. So did Jeſus, Mat. 4. 17. Repent, for the kingdome of heaven is at hand. So Chriſt commanded the twelve, As yee goe, preach, ſaying, The kingdome of heaven is at hand, Mat. 10. 7. Likewiſe the ſeventy, The kingdome of heaven is come nigh unto you, Luke 10. 9. Peter and all the Diſciples were ignorant of the death and reſurrection of Chriſt, untill he was riſen from the dead, Mar. 9. 31, 32. compared with Luk. 24. 6, 7, 8. They wait for the fulfilling of the promiſes as well as Iohns Diſciples, Luke 24. 19, 20, 21, 22.
Object. 4.But were the twelve Diſciples of Chriſt, and the ſeventy, Luk. 10. that had accompanied with him from the time of Iohns Baptiſme untill the time of Chriſts aſcenſion into glory, that had been baptized, were they alſo Re-baptized after the death and reſurrection of Chriſt?
Anſw.The Anſwer is, Nay: Becauſe they had the promiſe of the holy Spirit to be given them, without any more baptizing with water. Acts 1. 5. Iohn truly baptized with water, but yee ſhall be baptized with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence. And the Lord made good his word of promiſe, they were filled with the holy Spirit, when the dayes of Pentecoſt were fully come, Acts 2. 2, 3, 4, 5. Thus I have anſwered the Objections.
Reaſ. 7.Becauſe, If two Diſciples of Chriſt agree together in earth, touching any thing that they ſhall ask, they have promiſe it ſhall bee done for them of his Father in heaven, Mat. 18. 19. But there is no promiſe to any people in faith and order, but a people agreed: Reaſ. 1. Becauſe two cannot walk together unleſſe they be agreed, Amos 3. 3. neither can the heart of two beleevers truly conſent to pray together, unleſſe they bee agreed touching the things they will ask of the Father of glory. Reaſ. 2. Difference of opinion cauſeth difference of affection, and is an occaſion of many deare and precious ſoules to withdraw communion; as is to be ſeen in Barnabas and Paul, diſſenting about the choyce of a companion, the contention grew ſo hot, that they ſeparated the one from the other,Reaſ. 8. Acts 15. 37, 38, 39, 40.
Two or three Diſciples of Chriſt, gathered together in his name, (that is, by his power, authority, and royall Commiſſion) where-ſoever, (whether in the mountaine, or in the deſert, or in ſhip, or in the dungeon) there will Chriſt be in the midſt of them, to heare and grant their petitions, or deliver them out of trouble; as he did Peter out of the priſon, at the interceſſion of the Church, Act. 12.
Reaſ. 9.To all ſuch as walk in this Goſpel faith and order, the Lord Jeſus hath promiſed a greater manifeſtation of his preſence, and Spirit, Joh. 14. 26. And John in the Iſland of Pathmos …ound it, Revel. 1. 9, 10. Yea, and to all them that love him and keep his commandements, the Father and the Sonne hath promiſed to owne their poor hearts to be his Temple and Palace, where hee will abide and dwell; Joh. 14. 23.
Reaſ. 10.Laſtly, All ſuch as are congregated in Goſpel faith and order, have a promiſe from King Jeſus, of Royall Protection in their greateſt dangers, Heb. 13. 5, 6. So that with the Prophet Habacuck they can glory in Chriſt, in their greateſt extremities, Hab. 3. 17, 18. Though the vine doe not yeeld her fruit, and the fatneſſe of the olive faile, and the herd periſh from the ſtall; yet will I joy in the Lord, and rejoyce in the God of my ſalvation.
Queſt.But is there any hope to ſee the Nation of England reformed according to the Primitive pattern, founded upon the word of the eternall Truth? Epheſ. 2. 20.
Anſw.Yea. Firſt, Becauſe there was never a more exact Covenant taken in no Realme, or Nation, ſince the dayes of zealous Joſiah, 2 Chron. 34. 31. and Nehemiah, Nehem. 10. 29. than is in theſe our dayes, to ſee a through Reformation in England and Ireland, according to the word of God; and to extirpate Popery, Prelacy, Superſtition, Schiſme, He…eſie, in Doctrine, Worſhip, and Diſcipline; that the Lord ſhould be one, and his Name one, in the …hree Kingdomes. So that we are …ot to leave ſo much as an hoofe behind us of any Superſtition, or Romiſh relique, or any humane Tradition, in Gods worſhip, to be …etained; though it have remained …nder the venerable garbe of An…iquity, Univerſality, and Unity, …he three great pillars of the Roman Hierarchy.
Reaſ. 2.Secondly, Becauſe there are in …he Synod ſome learned, pious, ten…er, conſcientious men, that in the …ayes of the cruell and ambitious Prelates (like the Prieſt and Levites, … the dayes of idolatrous Jerobo…m, that ſerved the Devils and the Calves hee made, 2 Chron. 11. 13, 14, …5.) left all their maintenance, and went and lived in a ſtrange land, to enjoy the liberties of a good conſcience, and worſhip the Lord Jeſus according to the light they had received; that are at this day truly ſenſible, what a burden th… Penall Statutes have beene in ou… Land, in former times, to tende… conſciences, that deſire (without any ſiniſter ends) to ſee a Reformation according to Gods word▪ therefore will never conſent t… have ſuch a Penall Law enacted (as the Prelates of England onc… obtained by fraud and policy, in the dayes of Richard the Second to kill the Engliſh Subjects, that would declare the whole truth o… God, ſo farre as it was revealed to them, and keep a good conſcienc… toward God and man: which occaſioned the death of ſome of th… Nobility, Gentry, and Miniſtery in the Nation; with many other of inferiour rank.
Thirdly, There are in the hig… and honourable Court of Parliament, ſome ſuch conſcientious tender-hearted men, that in the Pre…ates dayes left, if not ſold, their …oſſeſſions, to goe into a deſolate …ilderneſſe, to worſhip the Lord …eſus in ſpirit and truth, according …o the light God revealed unto …hem; and many other were fol…owing after, that are truly ſenſi…le, that it hath ever been a plot of the Biſhops and Prieſts to labour …o enthrall the Engliſh Nobility, and Commons in Parliament, to …ake Lawes to kill and impriſon …he conſcientious in the Land, that …oe deſire to worſhip the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſpirit and …ruth, according to his revealed will in his owne word, under the ſpe…ious pretences of unity, and uniformity in the worſhip of God: as …he Statutes of K. Henry 8. K. Edward 6. Q. Mary, and Q. Elizabeth, …eclare.
Fourthly, It is obvious to every well-affected Subject in the Engliſh Nation, that when our Brethren that noble, ancient, warlike Nation the Scots, contended for a Reformation according to the light they ha… received, and caſting off Rome proud Papall and Prelaticall Government, with all their deviſe… formes of Worſhip, they muſt hav… dyed; the Engliſh Prelates had ſ… farre incenſed his Majeſty againſt them, and raiſed large ſummes o… money toward the levying of a… Army, to kill and deſtroy them had not the Lord by his ſpecial… providence prevented it.
Reaſ. 5.Fifthly, When the Lord opened the eyes of our deare and thric… noble Patriots of our Countrey aſſembled in Parliament, to make a ſolemne Proteſtation, to oppoſ… all Popery and Popiſh innovations, and to extirpate Epiſcopacy root and branch, as a Plant th… heavenly Father never planted; Then evill counſell prevailed with the King to withdraw from his Parliament, and under the pretence of a Guard to protect his Perſon, to make warre againſt his Parliament, that they ſhould dye: But our faithfull Nobles, and true hearted Commons in England reply, Shall our Ionathans dye? who have in part freed our conſciences from Roman Traditions, and ancient corrupt Feſtivals, and covenanted with us for a pure Reformation agreeable to the word of our good God, and have preſerved our eſtates and liberties from an Arbitrary Government; ſhall they dye which have wrought ſuch a deliverance in the Land? they ſhall not dye: we will bleed our ſelves before an haire ſhall fall from their heads, if either wee with our perſons, prayers, counſells, ſtates, or ſwords can prevent it. And hath the Lord given ſuch a bleſſing to our endeavours, that God hath made the righteous of the Land, (next to the Lord) a wall of defence to the Parliament; ſhall it ever therefore enter into the heart of loyall and tender-hearted Covenantors to have ſuch hard thoughts; that the Parliament will ever conſent to burden us any longer with unjuſt Penall Statutes, who have thought nothing too deare for them, but have jeopardized lives and livelyhods for their preſervations. Eſpecially, they being ſenſible what a burden ſuch penall Lawes have been to tender Conſciences, and what an hinderance they are for propagating truth.
Reaſ. 6.Sixtly, All the faithfull in the Parliament know but in part; and the more they taſt of the honey of Gods eternall truth, the more their eyes are enlightened to ſee, they have not as yet attained to a full Reformation. And if now they ſhould build but upon the leaſt hay and ſtubble, they ſhould not onelyonly ſuffer loſſe; but lay a foundation of a new rent in the Ages and generations to come: yea, and looke what unjuſt Penall Statutes they impoſe now; may perhaps fall as heavy upon their Poſterity, as ſometime did upon that famous Lord Cobham, that gave his conſent to the Statute of Lolordi, and afterward was put to death for a Lolord.
Reaſ. 7.Seventhly, The Lord hath added ſuch a bleſſing to the pious endeavours of the Parliament, that they have diſcovered many things to be …ruth; that the Learned Prelates in former times adjudged to be Hereſies: As the parity of the Miniſtery. Superſtitious formes of deviſed Worſhip, called Divine. Superſtitious Feſtivals, formerly eſteemed holy Feaſts, now taken away, that men may follow their honeſt labour ſix daies, and Sanctifi… a Seventh, as a day of holy re… to the Lord; being now the firſt day of every weeke; as the holy Scripture hath left us a rule of practiſe to obſerve and doe, Act 20. 7. And hee which hath begu… this great and happy Worke of Reformation by this Parliament: we are confident, will never leave them untill hee hath made them inſtruments, either to perfect it; or a… leaſt, to give to all his faithfull Daniels, libertie of Conſcience, to worſhip the Lord in Spirit and truth according to his will revealed againſt whom they can object nothing, unleſſe it bee in the matte… that concerne the ſpirituall worſhip of their God; Seeing the… have learned to give Caeſar his due Tribute, Cuſtome, Feare, Honour; Yea and lay downe their lives, rathe… then juſt and lawfull Magiſtrate ſhould not be maintained among us, and obeyed in all their juſt, Legall, and Civill commandements. Knownig, they carry not the Sword for nought, but for the puniſhment of them that doe evill, and for the praiſe, and defence of them that doe well.
Laſtly, the wrondrous power of the Spirit of grace, in enlightning darke mindes with the knowledge of his Truth; and ſcattering the knowledge of it, all the Kingdome over, in Cities, Countreyes, and Campe, and cauſing men of ſingular parts of learning to bring their gifts toward the building up of Zion; and powring out of his Spirit (as Ioel the Prophet foretold, Ioel 2. 28.) upon all ſorts of people, both young, and old; rich, and poore; which is to mee a plaine demonſtration, that the Lord will never leave us, untill he hath made his new Jeruſalem, the praiſe of the whole earth, and prepared the Spouſe, the Lambes wife; Yea, and advanced Jeſus the Chriſt once againe upon the Throne, to be the Head, King, Prieſt, and Prophet of his Church, according to the ancient Propheſie of David, Pſal. 2. 6.
Yet have I ſet my King upon my holy hill of Zion.
Gloria ſoli Deo.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Cotton, A Conference in Boston with the Elders of New England (1646)